Uganda

Overview

Uganda is a landlocked East African country. Its capital city is Kampala, which is divided into five divisions. The city is famous for its busy nightlife of comedy evenings and music theatres. It is also home for Uganda National Museum that exhibits a collection of artefacts from the country’s different tribal heritage. The Libri Palace of the former Buganda Kingdom is located on Mengo Hill.

Uganda was colonized by Britain from 1894 to 1962 when it gained its independence. The first president was King Mutesa of Buganda Kingdom and Milton Obote was the Prime Minister. The Kingdoms were later abolished by Milton Obote when he grabbed power and ruled from 1967 to 1971. Idi Amin then grabbed power and ruled from 1971 to 1979 during which tenure many people lost their lives. Amin also exiled all the Asians who had settled in Uganda. The current president, Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986 and he has brought a lot of reforms in the country.

The capital, Kampala.

As of 2019, it had a population of 42.72 million. It has an area of 241,038 km2.

The country’s official languages are English and Swahili.

The education system comprises of years of primary education, four years of lower secondary and two years of upper secondary and tertiary levels.

The major religion in the country is Christianity.

The popular sports are football, basketball, cricket, tennis and golf.

The country has a warm tropical climate. It is hotter from December to February. The highest point in the country is Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 16,763 meters above sea level. The country’s main food crops are cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sorghum, corn, beans and groundnuts. The major cash crops are coffee, cotton, tea, cocoa and tobacco. Other industries in the country are steel production, cement, sugar and breweries.

Uganda is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by DRC, on the southwest by Rwanda and the south by Tanzania. It is located within the Nile basin and is amongst the African Great Lakes region.

History

Kingdoms such as Buganda ruled before Uganda became a British protectorate. It became independent in 1962, and Idi Amin's rule in the 1970s was particularly brutal.

Food & culture

Matoke (steamed green bananas), posho and the rolex, a chapati rolled with eggs, are favourites.

Wildlife

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has around half the world's mountain gorillas, and Kibale has chimpanzees.

Festivals & events

Nyege Nyege, a music festival in Jinja, has become internationally known.

Things to see

Bwindi, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the source of the Nile at Jinja and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Interesting facts

Winston Churchill called Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Famous hikes in Uganda

Gorilla trekking

Distance: Varies
Time: 2 to 8 hours
Best time: June to September, or December to February

How to do it: Hike through steep rainforest with rangers to spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family. You need a gorilla permit, booked months ahead through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a tour company.

See it on my bucket list

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uganda

1 of 3 visited. See every site I've been to.

My videos from Uganda

Face to face with a wild mountain gorilla
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Baby mountain gorilla in Bwindi, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

My photos from Uganda

September 2019 Overlanding East Africa - Oasis Overland + Extras

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kagoma, Bufumbira

Whole trip gallery

Plan your trip to Uganda

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